What We Know
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a traumatic event occurs in one’s life. Having upsetting memories, sleep disturbances, or being quick tempered can be normal responses to a traumatic event. However, PTSD is characterized in still having symptoms months after the event [1]. Identifying characteristics of PTSD can vary greatly but can also include negative verbal, physical, or self-destructive behavior [2]. Length of time one is affected varies greatly as well, but professional help has proven to help assist in a better quality of life [1]. Statistically, every year in the United States there are about 8 million people who have developed PTSD [3].
How It Affects Our World
The individual is highly affected by PTSD through becoming very reactive to unanticipated stimuli, may have concentration troubles, sleep disturbances, and/or dissociative symptoms (the feeling of detachment from his or her body). Additionally, individuals may have impaired functioning in social, interpersonal, developmental, educational, occupational and/or physical health. This ultimately leads to a higher risk of social, occupational, and/or physical disabilities [2].
What We Can Do About It
At Finding The Light Project we will always highly recommend professional medical and mental health providers as the foundation of treatment. Beyond that, we are here to provide you with knowledge, theological reasoning and encouragement. We invite you to subscribe and explore how you can find light in the darkness. It’s time to find hope and happiness once again!
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 9-8-8
Resources
[1] National Center for PTSD (2020). Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/print/understandingptsd_booklet.pdf
[2] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
[3] National Center for PTSD (2020). How common is PTSD in adults? Washington DC: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp